PL-15 vs Meteor: Which Missile Dominated the May 2025 Air Battle?

The skies over South Asia erupted in flames on May 7, 2025, as a high-intensity air battle unfolded between the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and the Indian Air Force (IAF)—a confrontation that has since become a focal point for military analysts and defense enthusiasts around the world. At the heart of this aerial encounter was a dramatic test of modern air combat capabilities, particularly in the domain of beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile warfare.

PL-15E Long Range BVR Air to Air Missile

In this unprecedented engagement, Pakistan’s J-10C multirole fighters, equipped with the much-discussed PL-15 long-range BVR missile, reportedly scored decisive kills against multiple Indian aircraft—including, most notably, a Rafale fighter jet, one of the most advanced aircraft in the Indian arsenal. The incident, initially reported with caution, has since gained significant traction following confirmations from multiple credible international and regional sources.

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CNN, citing defense intelligence briefings, was among the first international media outlets to report the development. Additionally, a classified French intelligence source—leaked and later corroborated by independent analysts—lent further credibility to the claims. Most striking, however, was the indirect acknowledgment of the loss by IAF Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, Director General of Air Operations (DGAO) whose remarks hinted at operational setbacks during the encounter.

In a surprising turn, Indian media outlets themselves have also confirmed the loss of Rafale aircraft during the skirmish. While initial coverage appeared cautious and limited in scope, subsequent reports from outlets including India Today, Hindustan Times, and NDTV have validated that at least one Rafale was lost in combat, citing unnamed IAF sources and satellite imagery. This rare admission underscores the severity of the incident and has further fueled intense debate over what went wrong—and why.

The core of this global discourse now revolves around two cutting-edge BVR missile systems: China’s PL-15, fielded by Pakistan, and Europe’s Meteor, deployed by India. Each missile represents the pinnacle of modern aerial warfare technology, yet they embody distinct design philosophies and tactical doctrines.

The PL-15, with its dual-pulse solid rocket motor and active AESA radar seeker, offers blistering speed, enhanced electronic counter-countermeasure (ECCM) resilience, and a reported engagement range exceeding 200 kilometers. It is designed for early detection and long-range elimination, giving its operators a significant first-launch advantage in contested airspace.

On the other hand, the Meteor, developed by Europe's MBDA, relies on a throttleable ducted ramjet engine, which provides sustained propulsion across the missile’s flight envelope. This unique capability enables the Meteor to maintain energy during terminal engagement, significantly expanding its no-escape zone (NEZ)—the range within which a target cannot evade once locked on. Its precision-guided active radar seeker and networked data-link system make it a formidable weapon, particularly in Western combat doctrines that emphasize cooperative targeting and interoperability.

Yet, the events of May 7 have shaken long-held assumptions about BVR supremacy. The fact that Meteor-equipped Rafales were unable to score any kills, while PL-15-armed J-10Cs achieved confirmed shootdowns, has ignited a fresh wave of scrutiny into real-world missile performance, platform integration, and tactical deployment. Analysts are now asking hard questions: Were the Indian Rafales actually carrying Meteors? Did electronic warfare or poor engagement geometry inhibit their effectiveness? Were there software or command constraints at play?

What’s clear is that this wasn’t just a battle of aircraft—it was a battle of missile systems, doctrines, and readiness levels. And while the fog of war always clouds full clarity, the available evidence strongly suggests that the PL-15 emerged with a tactical upper hand, forcing a global reassessment of missile capabilities in near-peer air combat.

MBDA Meteor Long Range BVR Air to Air Missile

Head-to-Head: PL-15 vs Meteor – Specs Comparison

Parameter	PL-15	Meteor
Developer	China Airborne Missile Academy	MBDA (Europe)
Service Entry	2016	2016
Propulsion	Dual-pulse solid rocket motor	Throttleable ducted ramjet
Seeker	Active AESA radar	Active radar homing
Maximum Range	≥ 200 km	~200 km
No-Escape Zone	~100 km (estimated)	> 60 km
Typical Platforms	J-10C, J-20, J-35	Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Gripen, F-35 (planned)

While both missiles entered service in the same year, their design philosophies differ sharply. The PL-15 prioritizes range, speed, and sensor strength, while the Meteor emphasizes sustained energy and terminal effectiveness via its innovative ramjet propulsion.

Why the PL-15 May Have Outperformed the Meteor in the May 2025 Clash

Several operational and technical factors may explain why PAF’s PL-15-equipped J-10Cs appeared to outperform IAF’s Rafales, even if the latter were presumed to be equipped with Meteors.

Range Advantage

The PL-15's reported range of over 200 km gives it a potential edge in long-range engagements, allowing first-launch capability—a critical advantage in BVR combat.

AESA Radar Seeker

The active AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) seeker onboard the PL-15 provides enhanced tracking, resistance to jamming, and greater lock-on precision compared to conventional radar seekers.

Solid Rocket Propulsion

The PL-15’s dual-pulse solid rocket motor may offer a rapid acceleration profile, enabling faster target engagement in certain combat scenarios.

But What About the Meteor?

Despite the PL-15’s perceived performance edge, the Meteor remains a gold standard in BVR missile design for several reasons:

Throttleable Ramjet: Unlike conventional rocket motors, the Meteor’s ramjet sustains supersonic speed throughout its flight, enabling superior maneuverability and energy retention.
Larger No-Escape Zone: The Meteor’s >60 km NEZ makes it highly lethal in terminal phases.
Platform Versatility: Compatible with NATO-standard fighters like the Rafale, Eurofighter, and Gripen, the Meteor is deeply integrated into Western air forces.

Factors That May Have Limited Meteor Use During the Battle

Unknown Loadout or Pilot Readiness

It's unclear whether the Rafales were even carrying Meteors during the sortie, or whether Indian pilots were fully cleared and trained for their use under real combat conditions.

Electronic Warfare by Pakistan

There are indications that PAF J-10Cs employed advanced jamming systems, potentially disrupting Indian radar and communication links, denying the Rafales the necessary lock-on to deploy Meteors effectively.

Engagement Geometry

The Rafales may have been outside the Meteor's optimal launch envelope, leading onboard systems to inhibit missile launch due to unfavorable speed, angle, or range.

Integration or Software Glitches

Issues with data-link compatibility or fire-control software could have disrupted the launch sequence, especially during high-pressure, real-time combat situations.

Restrictive Rules of Engagement (RoE)

Lastly, political or command-level restrictions may have prevented Rafale pilots from engaging, regardless of technical feasibility.

Conclusion: A Battle of Missiles—and Context

While the PL-15 may have held the upper hand in the May 2025 engagement due to its range, AESA guidance, and favorable combat conditions, this does not necessarily render the Meteor obsolete. On paper, both missiles are formidable in their own right—each excelling in different combat philosophies:

PL-15 leans into raw reach and sensor power.
Meteor thrives on endgame control and sustained energy.

Ultimately, the true measure of a missile’s effectiveness lies not just in its specifications—but in how it's employed, by whom, and under what circumstances.

FAQs: PL-15 vs Meteor

1. Which missile has the longer range—PL-15 or Meteor?

The PL-15 has a reported range of over 200 km, slightly exceeding that of the Meteor, which is estimated at around 200 km.

2. What makes the Meteor’s ramjet special?

The Meteor uses a throttleable ducted ramjet, allowing it to maintain supersonic speed throughout its flight. This ensures better maneuverability and energy retention during the final moments of target engagement.

3. Was the Meteor used in the May 2025 battle?

There is no confirmed evidence that the Indian Rafales involved in the May 7, 2025, engagement were carrying or authorized to fire Meteor missiles during the clash.

4. How important is AESA radar in missile seekers?

AESA radar seekers, like the one used in the PL-15, offer enhanced target tracking, better resistance to jamming, and higher reliability in modern electronic warfare environments.

5. Could the outcome have been different under other conditions?

Yes. The success of any BVR missile depends on numerous variables such as pilot training, engagement geometry, radar lock, rules of engagement, and electronic warfare interference. Different conditions could have produced very different results.